This is one of the longest and most interesting festivals held in Patan. (Rato=red). The Rato Machhendranath is the God who has power over rain and is also known as Karunamaya, the God of mercy. The Buddhists identify him with Lokeshwar. The festival is celebrated by constructing a chariot (rath in Nepali) with a long steeple made of wood. This chariot is then moved about from place to place often taking more than a month to reach its final destination before it is returned to its resting place.
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